Pavel gets green light for Dubai World Cup

ARCADIA, Calif. – The Santa Anita Handicap on March 9 will not include Pavel, who won the Grade 1 Stephen Foster Handicap at Churchill Downs last June but is winless in four subsequent starts. Trainer Doug O’Neill said on Thursday that Pavel will be sent to the United Arab Emirates for the $12 million Dubai World Cup.

Owned by Paul and Zillah Reddam, Pavel was fourth in the 2018 Dubai World Cup. In his most recent start, Pavel finished fourth in the Grade 2 San Pasqual Stakes at 1 1/8 miles at Santa Anita on Feb. 2.

Since the San Pasqual, Pavel has been fitted with blinkers during workouts, including a six-furlong exercise in 1:13 at Santa Anita on Friday. Pavel will wear blinkers in the Dubai World Cup, O’Neill said.

Despite the recent losses, O’Neill said the Dubai World Cup is worth a chance.

“He’s a Grade 1 winner,” he said. “I know we haven’t seen it in the afternoon lately.”

◗ In a rarity, favorites won all eight races on Thursday’s program. The win prices ranged from $3.80 for Sugary in the first race and Time For Suzzie in the sixth race to $4.60 for Cajun Treasure in the third race and Rocky Rogue in the seventh race. The parade of favorites produced very low multirace payoffs. The 50-cent pick five on the first five races paid $54.55. The 50-cent pick five on the final five races paid $44.55.